U.S. Trade Representative Places Czech Republic on Special Watch List

The U.S. Trade Representative has placed the Czech Republic on its Special 301 Watch List. Under the provisions of the Trade Act of 1974, the list includes countries that "merit attention" by USTR due to possible unfair trade practices. U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab said the agency had conducted an "out-of-cycle" review of the Czech Republic's policies on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The investigation resulted in the country being placed on the list. "We remain concerned at the continuing lack of effective enforcement measures against traders openly selling pirated and counterfeit goods in the notorious border markets," said Schwab. The U.S. is "encouraged," she added, that the Czech Republic has begun developing legal measures to address concerns over piracy and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Thirty countries were included in USTR's 2007 Watch List, although the Czech Republic was not one of them. Nor was it among the 12 countries listed on last year's Priority Watch List, which highlights countries of even greater concern to the U.S.http://www.ustr.gov